Bloom: Science Tokyo’s 2025 festival on Ookayama Campus

The Ookayama Festival of Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), affectionately known as Koudaisai in Japanese, attracts approximately 50,000 visitors each fall to Ookayama Campus. Current students, prospective students, local residents, and other visitors attend the two-day event, making it one of the annual highlights in the Science Tokyo calendar.

As in 2024, the 2025 festival features a wide range of events for everyone to enjoy, from academic programs brimming with the unique spirit of Science Tokyo to classic festival activities.

The theme for the 2025 festival is “Bloom.” Every flower has its time to quietly spread its roots, extend its vines, and wait for its buds to bloom. In line with this concept, The Science Tokyo community hopes that the 2025 festival emerges as a bright and cheerful stage where countless flowers can bloom to their fullest.

• Lab walk-ins
  This year, 40 Science Tokyo labs showcase their cutting-edge research through exhibitions and demonstrations.
• Lab stamp rally
  This year’s stamp rally allows participants to collect stamps from 20 laboratories. Those who collect seven stamps receive a gift. Don’t miss out!
• Lab tours (advance reservations closed)
  Tours are planned for visits to multiple labs, with Science Tokyo students acting as guides. Tours are held in Japanese.

Public lectures will be given by Science Tokyo researchers in Japanese. No reservations are required, and admission is free. Visitors can enter and leave during the lectures, so don’t hesitate to join.

Venue

West Lecture Building 1, Lecture Theatre

The act of creating a genome

Associate Professor Yasunori Aizawa, School of Life Science and Technology
Sunday, November 2, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Did you know that, in 2025, you are living in the era of the genome technology revolution? We have entered an age where we can freely redesign the genome DNA — the blueprint of living cells — within living cells themselves. The ability to freely modify genomes allows us to examine the “living state” of cells in greater detail and create industrially useful artificial cells. It is crucial that we work together to build a society that can accurately understand this technology, avoid unnecessary fear, and correctly utilize cutting-edge science. In this lecture, Associate Professor Aizawa attempts to convey the forefront of such bio-advancements as time permits.

The beginning and end of this world — A story about quantum gravity theory

Assistant Professor Yoshiyuki Watabiki, School of Science
Sunday, November 2, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

How did the universe begin, and how will it end? Quantum gravity theory tackles this monumental question. Assistant Professor Watabiki introduces the causal dynamical triangulation (CDT) approach to quantum gravity, which describes the universe by dividing it into triangles of identical size and shape. This theory, which describes the birth of time and space, is explained in language appropriate for high school students without the use of equations. Why did only three-dimensional space expand enormously among the 27 possible one-dimensional spaces? What happened to the other dimensions? Watabiki’s talk, in which the inevitability and randomness of space's expansion are key, also delves into this mystery. Findings in this area have yet to appear in any popular science book, so your view of the universe may very well have changed by the end of the lecture.

The Flow of Goods Moves the World — Logistics Supporting the Global Economy

Professor Shinya Hanaoka, School of Environment and Society
Monday, November 3, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The flow of goods, or logistics, serves as the lifeblood supporting a nation's economic activities. In today's globalized world economy, ports and airports function as gateways for trade, while regions and cities are connected by roads and railways. Developing such transportation infrastructure enhances a nation's fundamental strength. Furthermore, establishing appropriate systems and mechanisms ensures the smooth flow of this “lifeblood,” invigorating economic activity. Indeed, the flow of goods drives the world. Naturally, the “symptoms of illness” vary among countries and cities. Professor Hanaoka’s lecture introduces policies serving as “prescriptions” for such challenges, using Japan and developing countries as examples.

At this event aimed at prospective students, current Science Tokyo students who belong to the Koudaisai executive committee answer individual questions about entrance exam preparations and university life. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from Science Tokyo students, so feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Those who participate in the lab tour (and register in advance) will be given priority for consultations with current students.

Dates and times

Sunday, November 2, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday, November 3, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Venue

Tsubame Terrace, West Building 5, 2nd floor

Booklet

A booklet packed with useful information for prospective students will be distributed by the Koudaisai executive committee. This booklet includes introductions to Science Tokyo’s Schools and Departments, details on admission procedures, subject-specific exam preparation tips, and success stories from past applicants. Admission guides, School-specific brochures, and other materials will also be distributed.

Date and time

Sunday, November 2, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (doors open at 12:30 p.m.)

Venue

70th Anniversary Auditorium

Science Tokyo will again host the annual voice actor event. This year's guests will be Ayana Taketatsu and Akari Kito, who have appeared in many popular works.

Date and time

Monday, November 3, 12:20 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. (doors open at 11:50 a.m.)

Venue

70th Anniversary Auditorium

This year’s special live concert features NECRY TALKIE.

Date and time

Sunday, November 2, 5:50 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.

Venue

Outdoor stage

Live comedy performances will be given by Gerrardon, Iwasaki, and CITY, all well-known comedian duos in Japan.

Dates and times

Sunday, November 2, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, November 3, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The mystery-solving event, a collaboration between the Koudaisai executive committee and C-lock-row, Science Tokyo’s mystery-solving student club, is an excursion-like mystery-solving experience for everyone to enjoy within the festival setting. Launched last year, this event has been upgraded based on popular demand. While retaining the fun puzzles crafted by C-lock-row, the challenges have been redesigned so they can be easily solved within the festival timeframe. Smaller puzzles have also been prepared for lower elementary school students. Prizes await those who successfully solve the puzzles, so join us!

Dates and times

Sunday, November 2, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, November 3, 9:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Venue

Ishikawadai Area

Due to its popularity among both children and adults, the fair event that began last year will be held again in 2025. Come and enjoy a variety of fair games, snacks, and just pure fun.

Official festival merchandise will be on sale at the tent in front of the 70th Anniversary Auditorium, the Ishikawadai area, and various information points.

A variety of items will be available, including those featuring this year's theme “Bloom” and Picody, the official festival mascot.

The 2025 festival on Ookayama Campus will include many other events not listed here. Everyone is welcome. For more details, please visit the official website and SNS accounts of the festival.

In case of unforeseen circumstances that may make it difficult to hold the festival, organizers will make an announcement on the official festival website.

• Koudaisai website (Japanese)

• Tokyo Tech Festival 2023 held without restrictions for first time in five years | Former Tokyo Tech
• Ookayama Campus
• Koudaisai on X (Japanese)
• Koudaisai on YouTube (Japanese)